North Herts homeowners who leave their properties empty for a decade or longer will face paying four times their usual council tax bill.

Lawmakers in Westminster passed Levelling Up legislation in October which gave district councils the power to increase empty homes premiums.

At a meeting on Thursday, February 29, North Herts Council members agreed to double the council tax bill for properties left empty for at least one year but fewer than five years.

Owners with properties left empty for five years but less than a decade will face paying three times the ordinary bill.

Owners with properties left empty for 10 years or longer will face paying four times the bill.

Owners of second homes in North Herts whose properties are not empty will face paying double the usual council tax bill.

These charges will come into force from April 1, 2025 and apply throughout North Herts – including in Letchworth, Baldock, Hitchin and Royston.

“The expected impact of additional premiums is that homeowners would be encouraged to bring empty properties into use and revert the use of second homes into primary residences,” said North Herts Council finance chief Councillor Ian Albert (Lab, Hitchin Bearton).

He said he is yet to receive a national list of empty home exemptions from the government in Westminster.

The list could include homes in the probate process, for example, because they have been left in somebody’s will, homes which are being actively marketed and properties where major repairs are taking place.

Cllr Sean Prendergast (LD, Letchworth South west), executive member for housing, said bringing empty homes into use could support the district’s economy and environment.

“Empty homes are often a source of complaints,” he said.

“They become run-down and dilapidated, and can become a blight on our communities.

“We are in a housing crisis.

“It is right and absolutely proper we do all we can to address these shortages.

“This will go some way in supporting that.”

Conservative Group leader Councillor David Levett (Letchworth South East) said he was glad to see probate included among the possible exemptions, because it can take “huge amounts of time”.

He added: “It’s not going to raise huge amounts of money but as Cllr Prendergast says, it does an important thing and brings – albeit a few – more homes back into use.”

According to a meeting report, the new policy could raise an extra £1.1million for council coffers but “it must be stressed that the aim of the premiums is not financially driven but is to encourage the bringing of empty homes back into occupation”.

Ahead of the 2025 fees, empty home premiums will change on April 1, 2024.

Properties empty for fewer than two years will not have a premium levy applied.

Owners of properties empty for more than two years but fewer than five will face paying double the usual council tax bill.

Owners of properties empty for more than five years but less than a decade will face a 150 per cent premium, with a 200 per cent premium applied to properties empty for more than 10 years.